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Would Like Opinion on New CP Layout

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Tahnok:
Not everyone is going to agree with these changes, but here's my suggestions. I can email you back the changed visio file if you'd like.

Move the trackball buttons above the trackball, or get rid of them. If you're worried about people not understanding the panel, buttons on either side of the trackball and positioned rather closely to the P1 controls is really going to throw them. I have buttons above my trackball and never hit them. Unlike the spinner, I think they're low enough to not cause problems. You might just get rid of them all together, since anything they do can be replicated with the P1 buttons.

The joysticks and buttons have been aligned and spread apart a little bit. It's just a comfort thing. Try it with a mockup, see if you like it.

I recommend keeping the a coin button for both players. It seems like people understand it better if they both get to "insert" their own coins with their own buttons.

You can either keep of get rid of the spinner buttons. Either way, I don't think they're causing problems.

Did you want that four-way that was in the visio file (I'm not sure, since it's not on any of your layouts)? I recommend against it, since the panel is starting to get a bit cluttered and it only does something that the Mag-sticks already do.

Edit: just noticed that the buttons and joystick are still not aligned perfectly. The buttons are supposed to be just a bit higher.

acevedor2:
Thanks T.  I did keep the 4 way that is in the latest file.  It does add to the other"stuff" already on the panel and you are right it is duplicated by the Mag Sticks, but I just couldn't see having a panel without a ball top.  After my last trip to our local arcade, (where they have a pacman/Mspacman both with a normal handle and a ball top) I had to have the ball top. 

Because of that it forced me to move the spinner back to the middle (or close to it) above the trackball.  That said, I moved it further up so it wasn't as close to the trackball.   I know that is a point of contention for many people because of the possibility of schwacking fingers.  That said, there aren't many other options to keep the controls I want and get them all on there.

I actually had the latest version printed out at FEDEX Kinko's and there is actually quite a bit of room on there. 

The problem with moving the buttons for the trackball to the top is I actually want to use them when I play games like Cenitpede, etc.  I prefer to have them closer in rather than having to use the standard P1 fire 1 button.  The other problem is that now that the spinner is back above the trackball, putting the two buttons above the trackball now gets a little crowded.

I certainly appreciate all of your input.  I learn more and more each time I visit this forum.  Lots of knowledge!  Cheers and Thanks again! 

acevedor2:
Now that I think of it, a couple of more questions:

 Can I assign the mouse buttons on the CP (right/left) to P1 Fire 1 and still have them work right as  mouse buttons?
 
Based on what everyone is saying, I can do away with the mouse buttons and just assign them to P1 buttons.  I guess my real question is what buttons?  I am assuming that P1 fire1 would be left click and then I could use P1 Fire2 for right click.  But if that's the case, how does MAME know when I want to use the button as a fire button and when it needs to be a mouse button.  Or will it only act as a mouse and mouse button when I am out of MAME and into Windows?

Thanks

acevedor2:
Well one of these days I will actually finalize the design.  I figure though that it is better to spend the time now rather than ending up witha CP that is not functional and that I don't like.

Based on the full size printout I have, it appears that the mouse buttons really were not in the best location.  They were ok if I was using the trackball as a mouse, but when using the trackball for games and stuff they were just not in a good location.  Based on the assumption (which I hope is good) that I can program P1 buttons to perform the same functions as the mouse, I have removed them. Also, based on the work by Tahnok I moved the buttons a little further away from the joysticks. 

I think it flows a little better now.  Of ocurse the most controversial change is of course the addtition of the 4 way ball top and the moving of the spinner back to the center. Oh well, got to make some compromises. Any thoughts?

tranq:
Dude, getting a left arm around that left stick to use the 4-way ain't gonna happen.  Equally, the spinner being over that far in an earlier version will suffer the same.  You have these HUGE spaces between sticks and button sets....move the left button set over left, move the right stick over right - this will fix the mouse button issue, as there'll be room for them next to the mouse.....OR, forget those buttons, all together, move the 4-way more over the left button set, and......actually, I think it's just too complicated.  Seen worse, but still....

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